It all started when our (Shobana and Chandrashekhar’s) son wanted to “go to school”. He was 4 years young then. We wanted a school that will let him “be himself” and cater to his emotional quotient (EQ), social quotient (SQ) as well as intelligence quotient (IQ) as his IQ borders the category of “genius” (making him a “gifted” child). We also wanted it to be a democratic environment as we followed democratic parenting at home. Since we did not find such a school, we wanted to start one ourselves, not only for the sake of our son, but for all the kids and families seeking such an environment.

Prakash, a co-founder of BeMe Open School, has been encouraging of the idea and introduced me to the very successful Sudbury Valley School, USA, and Democratic School of Hadera, Israel.

In the democratic environment, we bring together best practices and expert resources from around the world so that the child goes on to “master” whatever they want to.

Summer camps were conducted during 2017 and 2018 inspired by the best practices at Center for Talented Youth, Johns Hopkins, USA. After I joined Alliance University as a faculty, I proposed and started a “Center for Talented Children” there and organised “Deep learning” programs in summer 2019.

Our definition of a “gifted” child is consistent with that of of National Institute of Advanced Studies.

As much as we facilitate external journey, we focus on “inward” journey through yoga and mindfulness-based meditation so that children are “grounded”, have an internal moral compass and know to be happy no matter what goes on around them.

I have a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Washington University in USA and an undergraduate degree from BITS, Pilani. In addition to my research experience, I have teaching experience in USA as well as in India. Prior to my graduate studies, I had done software engineering for Visa International and Sun Microsystems, USA, as well as Wipro, India, among other companies.

Vibudhaalaya became a reality only because of the honorary support poured in by the members of our advisory board, support team and facilitators, who all believe in the cause. I am forever indebted to them for this.


To curate a conducive environment wherein the individual empowers through curiosity for life-long learning, imbibes universal human values, mobilizing behavior development, inculcating life skills for holistic growth and creating legacy.

Being in the education sector for the past 20 years and having worked in various institutions in Chennai and Bangalore has given an insight on how the education system must be.

Each child has a unique talent which has to be discovered and encouraged, for which a change in the model of the current system of education is essential. It is said by Jiddu Krishnamurthy that “The intentions of education must be the inner transformation and liberation of the human being and from that, society would be transformed”. JK’s philosophy and the focus on developing technical skills will build a successful personality.

It was in 2018 me and Shobana were exchanging our views on the education system, have led to an idea of open democratic alternative education school. After a year of analysis on alternative education “VibudhAalaya” budded.

I have a master degree in philosophy and have been into research for the past 10 years. I feel happy and proud to be a part of VibudhAalaya.

An enthusiastic educationalist employing innovative strategies in instructional design, fostering individuals realistic perspective towards life, creating a desire to maximize productive thinking and execution, diluting self-defeating impulses by instilling the trait of self-esteem and leaving a legacy behind in every walk of life.

Instructional methods facilitating learning

Edutainment, Active learning (engaging pupils in reading: real life situations), Analysis and discussion, Reflecting, Problem solving activities labeled “Thinking skills and Metacognition”, Practical exposure and experimental learning for theoretical concepts and evaluation based on higher order managing skills.

<!– *Indian education started from Gurukula system to the Takshashila, Nalanda and Vikramshila

*Our objective is to expand the access to knowledge to all types of learners pursuing non formal, formal and informal education

*Interactive e-content repositories pools up all the knowledge explosion sessions

*Schools teach you medieval European history, Age of Industrialisation, Nationalism in India, Civics and so on…Have they taught you how to create your own legacy?

Then join us to place yourself in the HISTORY

*You were taught value education, Do you know how to Socialize; Influence the life of others?

Step here to recognize the impact of your own actions

*Is learning a burden/stress? Reach us for Self-directed engaged learning experience…Learning is fun making entertainment with us

*Do you think the same way as your Math teacher thinks? For independent thinking and new ways of thinking connect us

*Did your biology lab teach you the ability to manage your emotions? Come here to enhance cognitive flexibility

*Want your child to apply theory to real life situations…

*Your child gains knowledge on subjects..Good…But lack LIFE SKILLS

*Edutainment is our pedagogy…Focused meaningful learning

*Effective usage of time…techno-emotive- pedagogy

*Individualised learning with bonded faculty rapport

*Self paced evaluation for every individual thru self centered criterion

*Individual realistic goals -measured progress- persistent success rate –>